Zan Celar’s First Goals Propel QPR to Victory, Ending Winless Streak

Queens Park Rangers secured a victory at Cardiff, concluding a nearly three-month period without a win. This achievement was marked by summer acquisition Zan Celar, who netted his initial goals for the team. The Slovenian international had faced difficulties adjusting to English football since his transfer from Swiss club Lugano, and notably missed a penalty during a 1-1 draw against Stoke at Loftus Road on Saturday. However, on the previous evening, the 25-year-old demonstrated precision in scoring, initiating his goal tally with a turn and a shot directed into the top corner, thereby ending his scoring drought. Following the boost from his first goal, he composedly chipped the ball over the advancing Bluebirds goalkeeper Jak Alnwick after breaking clear, securing the points in a 2-0 triumph at Cardiff City Stadium. Goalkeeper Paul Nardi executed multiple crucial saves, maintaining the clean sheet. He emphasized the team’s need to capitalize on this display during their upcoming match at Watford this weekend. “We have a very tough week,” he told BBC Radio London. “We don’t have the little luck sometimes, not just about luck but this night we feel good vibes, good things, the team fought for every ball.” He added, “I’m very happy for Zan Celar, he’s a big fighter. It was very difficult last week for him to miss the penalty but we can see the confidence of the group, of the teammates, when he scored.” Nardi concluded, “We are a very close group and the second one – what a finish from Zan!” These three points elevate QPR from the bottom of the league standings, placing them above Portsmouth, whose fixture against Millwall on the previous evening was rescheduled because of a power outage at Fratton Park. Furthermore, head coach Marti Cifuentes expressed satisfaction regarding Celar’s initial goals, particularly after having publicly supported him following his missed penalty against Stoke. “It was an important win for us as a team, especially for the players as they have been working hard in a difficult period,” he stated. Cifuentes continued, “The fact it was Zan Celar, the whole group have been very supportive and protective of him. It was very important, it’s a goal all of us have scored.” He concluded by saying, “He’s a good guy, been working hard, and unfortunately until today he had not got the reward of the goals. Hopefully it will increase his confidence and be the first two of many.”